Payne killer's minimum jail term cut

The killer of British schoolgirl Sarah Payne’s had his 50-year minimum jail term reduced by 10 years by a High Court judge today.

Paedophile Roy Whiting (aged 51), was not present to hear Mr Justice Simon, sitting in London, announce his decision on the number of years he must spend behind bars before he can apply for parole.

But the child’s mother, Sara, was present in the packed courtroom for the proceedings.

Whiting was jailed for life in 2001 for the kidnap and murder of eight-year-old Sarah, from West Sussex.

In 2002 the 50-year tariff – the least he must serve before becoming eligible to apply for parole – was set by the then-home secretary David Blunkett.

The judge said today he had concluded that the “appropriate” minimum term was a period of 40 years.

Speaking after the hearing, Mrs Payne said the family was "reeling".

“Right now, of course, we are a little bit reeling," she said.

“The family obviously doesn’t get a parole date. There’s no end to this. This is our life from now on.

“This is about Sarah, it’s not about Roy Whiting, so let’s get it back to the little girl it’s about.

“The man is a danger to children and will remain so as long as he lives and breathes.”